MS in Genetic Counseling 24 months Postgraduate Programme By Case Western Reserve University |TopUniversities

MS in Genetic Counseling

Subject Ranking

# 251-300QS Subject Rankings

Programme Duration

24 monthsProgramme duration

Main Subject Area

PsychologyMain Subject Area

Programme overview

Main Subject

Psychology

Study Level

Masters

The Genetic Counseling Training Program is a 40 credit hour program that spans four academic semesters and an intervening summer. Acquisition and mastery of clinical competencies are reflected in the Program’s didactic coursework, clinical rotations, thesis process and supplementary experiences. The sequence of medical genetics courses and genetic counseling courses are designed to introduce concepts regarding medical genetics, general medical practice, counseling theory and clinical skills such that they build from beginning skills to a more advanced skill set in the order needed for clinical experiences. The goal of the program is to provide students with the knowledge and clinical skills to function as competent and caring genetic counselors in a wide range of settings and roles. All of these activities enable successful graduates to meet the clinical competencies as outlined by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC). Experiential professional training occurs concurrently with formal coursework and over the summer between years one and two. Clinical settings include a variety of clinics and inpatient services at the Center for Human Genetics at University Hospitals Case Medical Center, the Genomic Medicine Institute at the Cleveland Clinic, Genetic Services at Metro Health Medical Center and Medical Genetics at Akron Children’s Hospital. Students also rotate through the Center for Human Genetics Diagnostic Laboratory which includes experiences in cytogenetics, molecular genetics, cancer cytogenetics and maternal serum screening. Student participation in these and other departmental professional and educational activities such as lectures, seminars, journal club, grand rounds, genetics conferences, and various research, counseling and patient management conferences is expected throughout the program. Coursework and clinical experiences are designed to develop the competencies expected by the ABGC. The First Year The major activities during the first year consist of course work (in plan of study below), clinical observations and defining a research question and preparing a research proposal. Observational clinical rotations begin early in October with students observing in prenatal genetics, cancer genetics, and general genetics clinics at the program’s three affiliated institutions. Additionally, students meet several times over the fall semester to discuss the thesis process, potential topics and are introduced to the faculty’s research areas of interest. In addition to continuing clinical observational rotations and thesis work, students continue with course work including an introduction to research methods and more in-depth theory and practice in the psychosocial aspects of counseling during spring semester. The Second Year The major focus of the second year is continued clinical experiences, research and taking the comprehensive written and oral examination. Students also complete their coursework, taking one course each semester. At the beginning of spring semester in January, the students sit for the written comprehensive examination (covering the didactic and clinical genetic counseling material covered to date in the program) and the oral section of the examination, which is given shortly after the written portion. Both examinations are intended to allow students to expand on their knowledge base of human and medical genetics and genetic counseling. Students are expected to pass both sections of the examination in order to meet graduation requirements by the Program. The written portion of the examination is patterned after the certification examination given by the American Board of Genetic Counseling.

Programme overview

Main Subject

Psychology

Study Level

Masters

The Genetic Counseling Training Program is a 40 credit hour program that spans four academic semesters and an intervening summer. Acquisition and mastery of clinical competencies are reflected in the Program’s didactic coursework, clinical rotations, thesis process and supplementary experiences. The sequence of medical genetics courses and genetic counseling courses are designed to introduce concepts regarding medical genetics, general medical practice, counseling theory and clinical skills such that they build from beginning skills to a more advanced skill set in the order needed for clinical experiences. The goal of the program is to provide students with the knowledge and clinical skills to function as competent and caring genetic counselors in a wide range of settings and roles. All of these activities enable successful graduates to meet the clinical competencies as outlined by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC). Experiential professional training occurs concurrently with formal coursework and over the summer between years one and two. Clinical settings include a variety of clinics and inpatient services at the Center for Human Genetics at University Hospitals Case Medical Center, the Genomic Medicine Institute at the Cleveland Clinic, Genetic Services at Metro Health Medical Center and Medical Genetics at Akron Children’s Hospital. Students also rotate through the Center for Human Genetics Diagnostic Laboratory which includes experiences in cytogenetics, molecular genetics, cancer cytogenetics and maternal serum screening. Student participation in these and other departmental professional and educational activities such as lectures, seminars, journal club, grand rounds, genetics conferences, and various research, counseling and patient management conferences is expected throughout the program. Coursework and clinical experiences are designed to develop the competencies expected by the ABGC. The First Year The major activities during the first year consist of course work (in plan of study below), clinical observations and defining a research question and preparing a research proposal. Observational clinical rotations begin early in October with students observing in prenatal genetics, cancer genetics, and general genetics clinics at the program’s three affiliated institutions. Additionally, students meet several times over the fall semester to discuss the thesis process, potential topics and are introduced to the faculty’s research areas of interest. In addition to continuing clinical observational rotations and thesis work, students continue with course work including an introduction to research methods and more in-depth theory and practice in the psychosocial aspects of counseling during spring semester. The Second Year The major focus of the second year is continued clinical experiences, research and taking the comprehensive written and oral examination. Students also complete their coursework, taking one course each semester. At the beginning of spring semester in January, the students sit for the written comprehensive examination (covering the didactic and clinical genetic counseling material covered to date in the program) and the oral section of the examination, which is given shortly after the written portion. Both examinations are intended to allow students to expand on their knowledge base of human and medical genetics and genetic counseling. Students are expected to pass both sections of the examination in order to meet graduation requirements by the Program. The written portion of the examination is patterned after the certification examination given by the American Board of Genetic Counseling.

Admission Requirements

7+

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